6. “ In the mean season Psyche hurled herself hither and thither, seeking day and night for her husband with unquiet mind, eager the more because she thought that if he would not be appeased with the sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would take mercy upon her at her servile and continual prayers. And (espying a church on the top of a high hill) she said: ' How can I tell whether my husband and master be there or no? ' Wherefore she went swiftly thither-ward, and with great pain and travail, yet moved by hope and desire, after that she had stoutly climbed to the top of the mountain, she went up to the sacred couch, where behold, she espied sheaves of corn lying on a heap, blades twisted into garlands, and reeds of barley; moreover she saw hooks, scythes, sickles, and other instruments to reap, but everything lay out of order, and as it were cast down carelessly in the summer heat by the hands of labourers; which when Psyche saw, she gathered up and put everything duly in order, thinking that she would not despise or contemn the temples of any of the gods, but rather get the favour and benevolence of them all.
6. “INTEREA Psyche variis iactabatur discursibus, dies noctesque mariti vestigationibus inquieta animo tanto cupidior iratum licet, si non uxoris blanditiis lenire, certe servilibus precibus propitiare. Ei prospecto templo quodam in ardui montis vertice, ‘Unde autem’ inquit ‘Scio an istic meus degat dominus?’ et illico dirigit citatum gradum, quem defectum prorsus assiduis laboribus spes incitabat et votum. Iamque navi ter emensis celsioribus iugis pulvinaribus sese proximam intulit: videt spicas frumentarias in acervo et alias flexiles in corona et spicas hordei videt; erant et falces et operae messoriae mundus omnis, sed cuncta passim iacentia et incuria confusa et, ut solet aestu, laborantium manibus proiecta. Haec singula Psyche curiose dividit et discretim remota rite componit, rata scilicet nullius dei fana ac caerimonias neglegere se debere sed omnium benivolam misericordiam corrogare.
By and by Lady Ceres came in and beholding her busy and curious in her chapel, cried out afar off and said: ' O Psyche, needful of mercy, Venus searcheth anxiously for thy steps in every place, mad at heart to revenge herself and to punish thee grievously with all the power of her godhead, but hast thou more mind to be here and to look after my affairs, and carest for nothing less than thy safety?' Then Psyche fell on her knees before her, watering her feet with her tears, wiping the ground with her hair, and with great weeping and many supplications desired pardon, saying: ' O great and holy goddess, I pray thee by thy plenteous and liberal right hand, by thy joyful ceremonies of harvest, by the secrets of thy baskets, by the flying chariots of the dragons thy servants, by the tillage of the ground of Sicily which thou hast invented, by the chariot of the ravishing god,1 by the earth that held thy daughter fast, by the dark descent to the unillumined marriage of Proserpina, by thy diligent inquisition of her and thy bright return, and by the other secrets which are concealed within the temple of Eleusis.in the land of Athens, take pity on me thy servant Psyche, and help my miserable soul, and let me hide myself a few days amongst these sheaves of corn until the ire of so great a goddess be past, or until that I be refreshed of my great labour and travail.' Then answered Ceres: 'Verily, Psyche, I am greatly moved by thy prayers and tears, and desire with all my heart to aid thee, but if I should suffer thee to be hidden here, I should incur the displeasure of my good cousin, with whom I have made a treaty of peace and an ancient promise of amity: wherefore I advise thee to depart from this my temple, and take it in good part in that I do not keep and guard thee as a prisoner here.'
Haec eam sollicite seduloque curantem Ceres alma deprehendit et longum exclamat protinus: ‘Ain, Psyche miseranda? Totum per orbem Venus anxia disquisitione tuum vestigium furens animi requirit teque ad extremum supplicium expetit et totis numinis sui viribus ultionem flagitat. Tu vero rerum mearum tutelam nunc geris et aliud quicquam cogitas nisi de tua salute?’ Tunc Psyche pedes eius advoluta et uberi fletu rigans deae vestigia humumque verrens crinibus suis, multiiugis precibus editis, veniam postulabat: ‘Per ego te frugiferam tuam dexteram istam deprecor, per laetificas messium caerimonias, per tacita secreta cistarum et per famulorum tuorum draconum pinnata curricula et glebae Siculae sulcamina et currum rapacem et terram tenacem et inluminarum Proserpinae nuptiarum demeacula et luminosarum filiae inventionum remeacula, et cetera quae silentio tegit Eleusinis Atticae sacrarium, miserandae Psyches animae,.supplicis tuae, subsiste. Inter istam spicarum congeriem patere vel pauculos dies delitescam, quoad deae tantae saeviens ira spatio temporis mitigetur vel certe meae vires diutino labore fessae quietis intervallo leniantur.’
Then Psyche driven away, contrary to her hope, was doubly afflicted with sorrow, and so she returned back again: and behold, she perceived afar off in a valley a temple standing within a glimmering forest, fair and curiously wrought; and minding to overpass no place whither better hope did direct her, although it might be uncertain, and to the intent she would desire the pardon of every god, she approached nigh to the sacred doors.
Suscipit Ceres: ‘Tuis quidem lacrimosis precibus et commoveor et opitulari cupio; sed cognatae meae, cum qua etiam foedus antiquum amicitiae colo, bonae praeterea feminae, malam gratiam subire nequeo. Decede itaque de istis aedibus protinus, et quod a me retenta custoditaque non fueris, optimi consule.’
There she saw precious riches and vestments engraven with letters of gold, hanging upon branches of trees and the posts of the temple, testifying the name of the goddess Juno to whom they were dedicated and the reason of their offering. Then she kneeled down upon her knees, and embracing the altar (which was yet warm) with her hands, and wiping her tears away, began to pray in this sort: ' O dear spouse and sister of the great god Jupiter, which art adored among the great temples of Samos alone made famous by thy birth, and infant crying, and nurture; or worshipped at high and I happy Carthage, as a maid, being carried through heaven by a lion;
Contra spem suam repulsa Psyche et afflicta duplici maestitia iter retrorsum porrigens inter subsitae convallis sublucidum lucum prospicit fanum sollerti fabrica structura, nec ullam vel dubiam spei melioris viam volens omittere, sed adire cuiuscumque dei veniam, sacratis foribus proximat. Videt dona pretiosa ac lacinias auro litteratas ramis arborum postibusque suffixas, quae cum gratia facti nomen deae cui fuerant dicata testabantur. Tunc genu nixa et manibus aram tepentem amplexa, detersis ante lacrimis, sic apprecatur:
or whether the rivers of the flood Inachus do celebrate thee, ruling over the notable walls of Argos, and know that thou art the wife of the great thunderer and the goddess of goddesses: all the east part of the world hath thee in veneration as Zygia, all the west world calleth thee Lucina: I pray thee to be mine advocate and Saviour 1 in my tribulations; deliver me from the great peril which pursueth me, and save me that am wearied with so 'long labours and sorrow, for I know that it is thou that succourest and helpest such women as are with child and in danger.' Then Juno, hearing the prayers of Psyche, appeared unto her in all the royal dignity of her godhead, saying: ' Certes, Psyche, I would gladly help thee; but I am ashamed to do anything contrary to the will of my daughter-in-law Venus, whom always I have loved as mine own child; and moreover I shall incur the danger of the law entitled De servo corrupto, whereby I am forbidden to retain any servant fugitive against the will of his master.' Then Psyche, terrified at this new shipwreck of fortune, as without all hope of her safety and the recovery of her husband, reasoned with herself in this sort: 'Now what comfort or remedy is left to my afflictions, when as my prayers will nothing avail with the goddesses, though they be willing enough to help me? What shall I do? Whither shall I go, that am set about and surrounded with such snares? In what cave or darkness shall I hide myself to avoid the piercing eyes of Venus?
‘Magni Iovis germana et coniuga, sive tu Sami, quae sola partu vagituque et alimonia tua gloriatur, tenes vetusta delubra; sive celsae Carthaginis, quae te virginem vectura leonis caelo commeantem percolit, beatas sedes frequentas; sive prope ripas Inachi, qui te iam nuptam Tonantis et reginam dearum memorat, inditis Argivorum praesides moenibus; quam cunctus oriens Zygiam veneratur et omnis occidens Lucinam appellat; sis meis extremis casibus Iuno Sospita, meque in tantis exanclatis laboribus defessam imminentis periculi metu libera. Quod sciam, soles praegnatibus periclitantibus ultro subvenire.’ Ad istum modum supplicanti statim sese Iuno cum totius sui numinis augusta dignitate praesentat, et protinus ‘Quam vellem’ inquit ‘Per fidem nutum meum precibus tuis accommodare! Sed contra voluntatem Veneris, nurus meae, quam filiae semper dilexi loco, praestare me pudor non sinit. Tunc etiam legibus, quae servos alienos perfugas invitis dominis vetant suscipi, prohibeor.’
Why do I not take a good heart, renouncing my vain hopes, and offer myself with humility (though it be late) unto her whose anger I have wrought and so try to soften her great fury? What do I know whether he whom I seek for so long be not in the house of his mother? ' Thus unto a doubtful service, nay unto certain destruction, Psyche prepared herself how she might make her orison and prayer unto Venus. But Venus, after that she was weary with searching over all the earth for Psyche, returned towards heaven and commanded that one should prepare the chariot which her husband Vulcanus had most curiously shaped and given unto her as a marriage gift before that she had first entered the bridal chamber; and it was so finely wrought that it had been made the more precious even of the very gold which the file had taken away. Four white doves, out of all those that stood sentinel to the chamber of their lady, stepped very briskly in front and bowed their rainbow-coloured necks to the yoke of precious gems, and when Venus was entered in, bore up the chariot with great diligence.
Isto quoque fortunae naufragio Psyche perterrita nec indipisci iam maritum volatilem quiens, tota spe salutis deposita, sic ipsa suas cogitationes consuluit: ‘Iam quae possunt alia meis aerumnis temptari vel adhiberi subsidia, cui nec dearum quidem quamquam volentium potuerunt prodesse suffragia? Quorsum itaque tantis laqueis inclusa vestigium porrigam, quibusque tectis vel etiam tenebris abscondita magnae Veneris inevitabiles oculos effugiam? Quin igitur masculum tandem sumis animum et cassae speculae renuntias fortiter, et ultroneam te dominae tuae reddis et vel sera modestia saevientes impetus eius mitigas? Qui scias an etiam, quem diu quaeritas, illuc in domo matris repperias?’ Sic ad dubium obsequium, immo ad certum exitium praeparata principium futurae secum meditabatur obsecrationis.
After her chariot there followed a number of sparrows chirping about, making sign of joy, and all other kind of birds sang very sweetly with honeyed notes, foreshewing the coming of the great goddess: the clouds gave place, the heavens opened and the upper air received her joyfully, the birds that followed, being the tuneful choir of Venus, nothing feared the eagles, hawks, and other ravenous fowl in the air. Incontinently she went unto the royal palace of the god Jupiter, and with proud and bold petition demanded the service of Mercury the herald in certain of her affairs, whereunto Jupiter consented, nodding with his azure brow; then with much joy she descended from heaven with Mercury, and gave him an earnest charge to put in execution her words, saying: ' O my brother, born in Arcadia, thou knowest well that I (who am thy lister) did never enterprise to do anything without thy presence: thou knowest also how long I have sought for a girl that is a-hiding and cannot find her: wherefore there resteth nothing else save that thou do publicly pronounce the reward to such as take per. See thou put in execution my commandment, account the signs by which she may be known, and declare that whatsoever he be that retaineth her wittingly against my will, he shall not defend himself by any mean or excusation.'
At Venus terrenis remediis inquisitionis abnuens caelum petit. Iubet instrui currum, quem ei Vulcanus aurifex subtili fabrica studiose poliverat et ante thalami rudimentum nuptiale munus obtulerat, limae tenuantis detrimento conspicuum et ipsius auri damno pretiosum. De multis quae circa cubiculum dominae stabulant, procedunt quatuor candidae columbae, et hilaris incessibus picta colla torquentes iugum gemmeum subeunt susceptaque domina laetae subvolant. Currum deae prosequentes gannitu constrepenti lasciviunt passeres et ceterae quae dulce cantitant aves melleis modulis suave resonantes adventum deae pronuntiant. Cedunt nubes et caelum filiae panditur et summus aether cum gaudio suscipit deam, nec obvias aquilas vel accipitres rapaces pertimescit magnae Veneris canora familia.
And when she had spoken this, she delivered unto him a paper wherein mas contained the name of Psyche and the residue of his publication; which done, she departed away to her lodging. By and by Mercurius, obeying her commands, Proclaimed throughout all the world that whatsoever he were that could bring back or tell any tidings of a king's fugitive daughter, the servant of Venus, named Psyche, let him bring word to Mercury, behind the Murtian temple, and for reward of his pains he should receive seven sweet kisses of Venus and one more sweetly honeyed from the touch of her loving tongue. After that Mercury had pronounced these things, every man was inflamed with desire of so great a guerdon to search her out, and this was the cause that put away all doubt from Psyche, who was all but come in sight of the house of Venus: but one of her servants called Custom came out, who, espying Psyche, cried with a loud voice: ' O wicked harlot as thou art, now at length thou shalt know that thou hast a mistress above thee;
Tunc se protinus ad Iovis regias arces dirigit et petitu superbo Mercuri, dei vocalis, operae necessariam usuram postulat. Nec renuit Iovis caerulum supercilium: tunc ovans illico, comitante etiam. Mercurio, Venus caelo demeat eique sollicite serit verba: ‘Frater Arcadi, scis nempe sororem tuam Venerem sine Mercuri praesentia nil unquam fecisse, nec te praeterit utique quanto iam tempore delitescentem ancillam nequiverim repperire: nil ergo superest, quam tuo praeconio praemium investigationis publicitus edicere. Fac ergo mandatum matures meum et indicia, qui possit agnosci, manifeste designes, ne, si quis occultationis illicitae crimen subierit, ignorantiae se possit excusatione defendere’; et simul dicens libellum ei porrigit, ubi Psyches nomen continebatur et cetera. Quo facto protinus domum secessit.
what, beside all thy other bold carriage, dost thou make thyself ignorant, as if thou diddest lot understand what travail we have taken in searching for thee? I am glad that thou art come into my hands, thou art now in the claws of Hell, and shalt abide the pain and punishment of thy great contumacy '; and therewithal she seized her by the hair, and brought her before the presence, of Venus. When Venus espied her brought into her presence, she began to laugh loudly, as angry persons accustom to do, and she shaked her head and scratched her right ear,1 saying: ' Have you now deigned at length to visit your mother? Or perchance to visit your husband, that is in danger of death by your means? Be you assured I will handle you like a daughter; where be my maidens Sorrow and Sadness?' To whom, when they came, she delivered Psyche to be cruelly tormented. They fulfilled the commandment of their mistress, and after they had piteously scourged her with whips wind had otherwise tormented her, they presented her again before Venus. Then she began to laugh again, saying: ' Behold, she thinketh that by reason of her great belly, which she hath gotten by playing the whore, to move me to pity, and to make me a happy grandmother to her noble child. Am not I happy, that in the nourishing time of all mine age shall be called a grandmother, and the son of a vile harlot shall be accounted the grandson of Venus.
Nec Mercurius omisit obsequium: nam per omnium ora populorum passim discurrens sic mandatae praedicationis munus exsequebatur: ‘Si quis a fuga retrahere vel occultam demonstrare poterit fugitivam regis filiam, Veneris ancillam, nomine Psychen, conveniat retro metas Murtias Mercurium praedicatorem, accepturus indicivae nomine ab ipsa. Venere septem savia suavia et unum blandientis appulsu linguae longe mellitum.’ Ad hunc modum pronuntiante Mercurio tanti praemii cupido certatim omnium mortalium studium arrexerat: quae res nunc vel maxime sustulit Psyches omnem cunctationem. Iamque fores et ius dominae proximanti occurrit una de famulitione Veneris, nomine Consuetudo, statimque, quantum maxime potuit, exclamat: ‘Tandem, ancilla nequissima, dominam habere te scire coepisti? An pro cetera morum tuorum temeritate istud quoque nescire te fingis, quantos labores circa tuas inquisitiones sustinuerimus? Sed bene, quod meas potissimum manus incidisti et inter Orci cancros iam ipsos haesisti, datura scilicet actutum tantae contumaciae poenas’;
Howbeit I am a fool to term him by the name of a son, since as the marriage was made between unequal persons, in no town, without witnesses, and not by the consent of their parents, therefore the marriage is illegitimate, and the child (that shall be born) a bastard, if indeed we fortune to suffer thee to live till thou be delivered.' When Venus had spoken these words, she leaped upon poor Psyche, and (tearing everywhere her apparel) took her violently by the hair, and dashed her head upon the ground. Then she took a great quantity of wheat, barley, millet, poppy-seed, pease, lentils, and beans, and mingled them all together on a heap, saying: ' Thou art so evil-favoured, girl, that thou seemest unable to get the grace of thy lovers by no other means, but only by diligent and painful service: wherefore I will prove what thou canst do; see that thou separate all these grains one from another, disposing them orderly in their quality, laud let it be done to my content before night.' When she had appointed this heap of seeds unto Psyche, she departed to a great banquet for a marriage that was prepared that day. But Psyche went not about to dissever the grain (as being a thing impossible to be brought to pass, by reason it lay so confusedly scattered) but being astonied at the cruel commandment of Venus, sat still and said nothing. Then the little pismire the ant, that dwelleth in the fields, knowing and taking pity of the great difficulty and labour of the consort of so great a god, and cursing the cruelness of so evil a mother, ran about nimbly hither and thither, and called to her all the ants of the country, saying: 'I pray you, my friends, ye quick daughters of the ground the mother of all things, take mercy on this poor maid espoused to Cupid, who is in great danger of her person; I pray you help her with all diligence.'
et audaciter in capillos eius immissa manu trahebat eam nequaquam renitentem. Quam ubi primum inductam oblatamque sibi conspexit Venus, laetissimum cachinnum extollit, et qualem solent frequenter irati caputque quatiens et ascalpens aurem dexteram ‘Tandem’ inquit ‘Dignata es socrum tuam salutare? An potius maritum, qui tuo vulnere periclitatur, intervisere venisti? Sed esto secura; iam enim excipiam te ut bonam nurum condecet’: et ‘Ubi sunt’ inquit ‘Sollicitudo atque Tristities ancillae meae?’; quibus intro vocatis torquendam tradidit eam. At illae sequentes herile praeceptum, Psychen misellam flagellis afflictam et ceteris tormentis excruciatam iterum dominae conspectui reddunt. Tunc rursus sublato risu Venus ‘Et ecce ’ inquit ‘Nobis turgidi ventris sui lenocinio commovet miserationem, unde me praeclara subole aviam beatam scilicet faciat. Felix vero ego, quae in ipso aetatis meae flore vocabor avia, et vilis ancillae filius nepos Veneris audiet. Quamquam inepta ego frustra filium dicam: impares enim nuptiae, et praetera in villa sine; testibus, et patre non consentiente factae legitimae non possunt videri, ac per hoc spurius iste nascetur, si tamen partum omnino perferre te patiemur.’
Incontinently they came, the hosts of six-footed creatures one after another in waves, separating and dividing the grain, 'and after that they had put each kind of corn in order, they ran away again in all haste from her sight. When night came, Venus returned home from the banquet well tippled with wine, smelling of balm, and all her body crowned with garlands of roses, who when she espied with what great diligence the work was done, began to say: ' This is not the labour of thy hands, vile quean, but rather of his that is amorous of thee to thy hurt and his.' Then she gave her a morsel of brown bread, and went to sleep. In the mean season Cupid was closed fast in the most surest chamber of the house, partly because he should not hurt himself the more with wanton dalliance, and partly because he should not speak with his love. So was the night bitterly passed by these two lovers divided one from another beneath the same roof. But when Aurora was driving in through the morning sky, Venus called Psyche, and paid: ' Seest thou yonder forest that extendeth out in length with the river-banks, the bushes whereof look close down upon the stream hard by? There be great sheep shining like gold, and kept by no manner of person; I command thee that thou go thither and bring me home some of the wool of their fleeces.' Psyche arose willingly, not to do her commandment, but to throw herself headlong into the water to end her sorrow. But then a green reed, nurse of sweet music, inspired by divine inspiration with a gracious tune and melody, began to say: ' O Psyche, harried by these great labours, I pray thee not to trouble or pollute my holy water by thy wretched death, and yet beware that thou go not towards the terrible wild sheep of this coast until such time as the heat of the sun be past;
His editis involat eam vestemque plurifariam diloricat, capilloque discisso et capite conquassato graviter affligit, et accepto frumento et hordeo et milio et papavere et eicere et lente et faba commixtisque acervatim confusis in unum grumulum sic ad illam: ‘Videris enim mihi tam deformis ancilla nullo alio sed tantum sedulo ministerio amatores tuos promereri: iam ergo et ipsa frugem tuam periclitabor. Discem seminum istorum passivam congeriem singulisque granis rite dispositis atque seiugatis ante istam vesperam opus expeditum approbato mihi.’ Sic assignato tantorum seminum cumulo ipsa cenae nuptiali concessit. Nec Psyche manus admolitur inconditae illi et inextricabili moli, sed humanitate praecepti consternata silens obstupescite Tunc formicula illa parvula atque ruricola, certa difficultatis tantae laborisque, miserta contubernalis magni dei socrusque saevitiam execrata discurrens naviter convocat corrogatque cunctam formicarum accolarum classem: ‘Miseremini terrae omniparentis agiles alumnae, miseremini et Amoris uxori, puellae lepidae, periclitanti prompta velocitate succurrite.’ Ruunt aliae superque aliae sepedum populorum undae summoque studio singulae granatim totum digerunt acervum separatimque distributis dissitisque generibus e conspectu perniciter abeunt.
for when the sun is in his force, then seem they most dreadful and furious with their sharp horns, their stony foreheads, and their poisonous bites wherewith they arm themselves to the destruction of mankind: but until the midday is past and the heat assuaged, and until the flock doth begin to rest in the gentle breeze of the river, thou mayest hide thyself here by me under this great plane-tree, which drinks of the river as I do also, and as soon as their great fury is past and their passion is stilled, thou mayest go among the thickets and bushes under the wood-side and gather the locks of their golden fleeces which thou shalt find hanging upon the briars.' Thus spake the gentle and benign reed, shewing a mean to most wretched Psyche to save her life, which she bare well in memory, and with all diligence went and gathered up such locks as she found and put them in her apron and carried them home to Venus: howbeit the danger of this second labour did not please her, nor give her sufficient witness of the good service of Psyche, but twisting her brows with a sour resemblance of laughter, she said: 'Of a certainty I know that another is the author of this thy deed, but I will prove if thou be truly of so stout a courage and singular prudence as thou seemest. Seest thou the high rock that overhangs the top of yonder great hill, from whence there runneth down water of black and deadly colour which is gathered together in the valley hard by and thence nourisheth the marshes of Styx and the hoarse torrent of Cocytus? I charge thee to go thither and bring me a vessel of that freezing water from the middest flow of the top of that spring': wherewithal she gave her a bottle, of carven crystal, menacing and threatening her more rigorously than before. Then poor Psyche went in all haste to the top of the mountain, rather to end her wretched life than to fetch any water, and when she was come up to the ridge of the hill, she perceived that it was very deadly and impossible to bring it to pass, for she saw a great rock, very high and not to be approached by reason that it was exceeding rugged and slippery, gushing out most horrible fountains of waters, which, bursting forth from a cavernous mouth that sloped downwards, ran below and fell through a close and covered watercourse which they had digged out, by many stops and passages, into the valley beneath.
Sed initio noctis e convivio nuptiali vino madens et fragrans balsama Venus remeat totumque revincta corpus rosis micantibus, visaque diligentia miri laboris, ‘Non tuum’ inquit ‘Nequissima, nec tuarum manuum istud opus sed illius, cui tuo, immo et ipsius malo placuisti’; et frusto cibarii panis ei proiecto cubitum facessit. Interim Cupido solus interioris domus unici cubiculi custodia clausus coercebatur acriter, partim ne petulanti luxurie vulnus gravaret, partim ne cum sua cupita conveniret. Sic ergo distentis et sub uno tecto separatis amatoribus tetra nox exanclata. Sed Aurora commodum inequitante vocatae Psychae Venus infit talia: ‘Videsne illud nemus quod fluvio praeterluenti ripisque longis attenditur, cuius imi frutices diligenter instructa illa cessavit, sed observatis omnibus furatrina facili flaventis auri mollitie congestum gremium Veneri reportat. Nec tamen apud dominam saltem secundi laboris periculum secundum testimonium meruit, sed contortis superciliis surridens amarum sic inquit: “Nec me praeterit huius quoque facti auctor adulterinus. Sed iam nunc ego sedulo periclitabor, an oppido forti animo singularique prudentia sis praedita. Videsne insistentem celsissimae illi rupi montis ardui verticem, de quo fontis atri fuscae defluunt undae proxumaeque conceptaculo vallis inclusae Stygias irrigant paludes et rauca Cocyti fluenta nutriunt? Indidem mihi de summi fontis penita scaturigine rorem rigentem hauritum ista confestim defer urnula.” Sic aiens crystallo dedolatum vasculum, insuper ei graviora comminata, tradidit.
On each side she saw great dragons creeping upon the hollow rocks and stretching out their long and bloody necks, with eyes that never slept devoted to watch- fulness, their pupils always awake to the unfailing light, which were appointed to keep the river there: the very waters protected themselves with voices, for they seemed to themselves likewise saying: 'Away, away, what wilt thou do? Fly, fly, or else thou wilt be slain.' Then Psyche (seeing the impossibility of phis affair) stood still as though she were transformed into stone, and although she was present in body, met was she absent in spirit and sense, overcome by treason of the great and inevitable peril which she saw, in so much that she could not even comfort herself with weeping. Yet the sorrow of this innocent escaped not the watchful eyes of good Providence, land the royal bird of great Jupiter, the eagle, swept down on wings stretched out, remembering his old service which he had done, when by the leading of Cupid he brought up the Phrygian boy to the heavens, to be made the butler of Jupiter, and minding to shew the like service in the person of the wife of Cupid, and came from the high house of the skies, and flying past the girl's face said unto psyche: 'O simple woman, without all experience of such things, dost thou think to get or dip up any drop of this dreadful water?
At illa studiose gradum celerans montis extremum petit cumulum certe vel illic inventum vitae pessimae finem. Sed cum primum praedicti iugi conterminos locos appulit, videt rei vastae letalem difficultatem: namque saxum immani magnitudine procerum et inaccessa salebritate lubricum mediis e faucibus lapidis fontes horridos evomebat, qui statim proni foraminis lacunis editi perque proclive delapsi et angusti canalis exarato proxumam convallem latenter incidebant. Dextra laevaque cautibus cavatis proserpunt et longa colla porrecti saevi dracones inconnivae vigiliae luminibus addictis et in perpetuam lucem pupulis excubantibus. Iamque et ipsae semet muniebant vocales aquae; nam et “Discede,” et “Quid facis? Vide,” et “Quid agis? Cave,” et “Fuge,” et “Peribis” subinde clamant. Sic impossibilitate ipsa mutata in lapidem Psyche quamvis praesenti corpore, sensibus tamen aberat, et inextricabilis periculi mole prorsus obruta lacrimarum etiam extremo solacio carebat.
No, no, assure thyself thou art never able to come nigh it, for the gods themselves, and even very Jupiter, do greatly fear so much as to name those waters of Styx; what, have you not heard that as it is a custom among men to swear by the puissance of the gods, so the gods do swear by the majesty of the river Styx? But give me thy bottle': and suddenly he took it and held lit, and hastened on the poise of his beating wings betwixt the ravening teeth and terrible darting tongues of the dragons by right and by left, and pilled it with the water of the river which yet came willingly that he might depart unharmed: for he feigned that he sought it by the command of Venus, fend so was his coming made somewhat more easy Then Psyche, being very joyful thereof, took the full bottle and quickly presented it to Venus. Nor would the furious goddess even yet be appeased, but menacing more and more, and smiling most cruelly, said: ' What? Thou seemest unto me a very witch fend a most deep enchantress, thou hast so nimbly obeyed my commands. Howbeit thou shalt do one thing more, my poppet; take this box and go to Hell and the deadly house of Orcus, and desire Proserpina to send me a little of her beauty, as much as will serve me the space of one day, and say that such as I had is consumed away in tending my son that is sick: but return again quickly, for I must dress myself therewithal, and go to the theatre of the gods.'
Nec Providentiae bonae graves oculos innocentis animae latuit aerumna: nam primi Iovis regalis ales illa repente propansis utrimque pinnis affuit rapax aquila, memorque veteris obsequii, quo ductu Cupidinis Iovi pocillatorem Phrygium sustulerat, opportunam ferens opem deique numen in uxoris laboribus percolens, alti culminis diales vias deserit, et ob os puellae praevolans incipit: “At tu simplex alioquin et expers rerum talium, speras te sanctissimi nec minus truculenti fontis vel unam stillam posse furari vel omnino contingere! Diis etiam ipsique Iovi formidabiles aquas istas Stygias vel fando comperisti, quodque vos deieratis per numina deorum, deos per Stygis maiestatem solere! Sed cedo istam urnulam,” et protinus arreptam complexamque festinat libratisque pinnarum nutantium molibus inter genas saevientium dentium et trisulca vibramina draconum remigium dextra laevaque porrigens volentes aquas et ut abiret innoxius permittentes ’
Then the poor Psyche clearly perceived the end of all her fortune, seeing that all pretence was thrown off, and manifestly she was being driven to present destruction; and not without cause, as she was compelled to go upon her own feet to the gulf kind furies of Hell. Wherefore without any further delay, she went up to a high tower to throw herself town headlong (thinking that it was the next and readiest way to Hell): but the tower (as inspired) spake suddenly unto her, saying: 'O poor wretch, why goest thou about to slay thyself? Why dost thou rashly yield unto thy last peril and danger? Know thou that if thy spirit be once separate from thy body thou shalt surely go to Hell, but never to return again; wherefore hearken to me. Lace- daemon, a city of Greece, is not far hence: go thou thither and enquire for Taenarus, which is hidden in waste places, whereas thou shalt find a hole, the breathing-place of Hell, and through the open gate is seen a pathless way: hereby if thou enter across that threshold, thou shalt come by a straight passage even to the palace of Pluto. But take heed that thou go not with empty hands through that place of darkness: but carry two sops sodden in the flour of barley and honey in thy hands, and two halfpence in thy mouth; and when thou hast passed a good part of that deadly way thou shalt see a lame ass carrying of wood, and a lame fellow driving him, who will desire thee to give him up certain sticks that fall down from his burden, but pass thou on silently and do nothing. By and by thou shalt come unto the dead river, whereas Charon is ferryman, who will first have his fare paid him before he will carry the souls over the river in his patched boat. Hereby you may see that avarice reigneth even amongst the dead;
‘Mihi ausculta: Lacedaemo Achaiae nobilis civitas non longe sita est; huius conterminam deviis abditam locis quaere Taenarum. Inibi spiraculum Ditis, et per portas hiantes monstratur iter invium cui te limine transmeato simul commiseris, iam canale directo perges ad ipsam Orci regiam. Sed non hactenus vacua debebis per illas tenebras incedere, sed offas polentae mulso concretas ambabus gestare manibus, at in ipso ore duas ferre stipes. Iamque confecta bona parte mortiferae viae continuaberis claudum asinum lignorum gerulum cum agasone simili, qui te rogabit decidentis sarcinae fusticulos aliquos porrigas ei; sed tu nulla voce deprompta tacita praeterito. Nec mora, cum ad flumen mortuum venies, cui praefectus Charon protenus expetens portorium, sic ad ripam ulteriorem sutili cymba deducit commeantes. Ergo et inter mori tuos avaritia vivit, nec Charon ille vel Ditis pater tantus deus, quicquam gratuito facit, sed moriens pauper viaticum debet quaerere, et aes si forte prae manu non fuerit, nemo eum expirare patietur. Huic squalido seni dabis nauli nomine de stipibus quas feres alteram, sic tamen ut ipse sua manu de tui sumat ore. Nec setius tibi pigrum fluentum transi meanti quidam supernatans senex mortuus putres attollens manus orabit ut eum intra navigium trahas: nec tu tamen illicita afflectare pietate.’